Nigel Farage Accuses Keir Starmer of 'Panicking' Over Critical Manchester By-Election
Nigel Farage has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing him of 'panicking' about the outcome of a pivotal by-election in Manchester that could determine his political survival in Downing Street. Voters in the Gorton and Denton constituency are set to go to the polls on Thursday in what was once considered a safe Labour seat, but has now transformed into a fiercely contested three-way battle.
A Dramatic Shift in Political Fortunes
Labour's Andrew Gwynne previously held this south Manchester constituency with a commanding majority of over 13,000 votes during the last general election in 2024. However, recent polling data indicates a dramatic collapse in Labour's support, plunging the party into a neck-and-neck struggle with both Reform UK and the Green Party. Labour's prospects have been further undermined by Sir Keir's controversial decision to block Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from standing as a candidate in this crucial contest.
One local source candidly told the Mail: 'Anyone who tells you they know which way it's going to go is lying.' This sentiment underscores the profound uncertainty surrounding an election that has captured national attention.
Farage's Rallying Cry and Allegations of Dirty Tricks
Mr Farage, who arrived in the constituency on Wednesday evening to rally supporters for a final push, urged voters to back Reform UK to deliver a significant blow to the government. 'Our message on election day is clear,' he declared. 'The Prime Minister is panicking and knows he has broken his promises to the British people. Vote Reform to ditch Starmer.'
The campaign in Manchester has been marred by allegations of underhand tactics, with multiple parties referring rival candidates to the police. In a recent development, the Green Party accused Labour of distributing leaflets from a supposedly 'entirely fictitious' tactical voting organisation named 'Tactical Choice,' which urged voters to support Sir Keir's party.
These leaflets featured a dubious poll suggesting Labour and Reform were tied, while explicitly excluding 'polling funded by Green Party donors.' They concluded: 'Based on a new prediction published in the last 24 hours we are recommending voting Labour.'
A Green Party spokesman responded sharply: 'In a final throw of desperation, Labour have made up an entirely fictitious organisation called 'Tactical Choice' referencing them on their final leaflet. They've had to make this up because every actual tactical voting organisation has endorsed the Green Party as the best hope to keep Reform out in this election.'
Labour's Counterclaims and the Gaza Controversy
Labour has retaliated by accusing the Greens of 'whipping up hatred' over the Gaza conflict in areas with a significant Muslim population. The party even released a campaign video in Urdu that included images of Foreign Secretary David Lammy shaking hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Labour's deputy leader, Lucy Powell, criticised the Green campaign as being 'characterised by misinformation, with dodgy bar charts.' However, Labour itself distributed a leaflet with a bar chart showing it level with Reform, while conspicuously omitting the Greens, who are currently leading in some polls.
The Backstory: Gwynne's Exit and Burnham's Block
The by-election was triggered after Andrew Gwynne, a former health minister, resigned from parliament last month citing health reasons. Mr Gwynne had been sacked the previous year following the leak of offensive WhatsApp messages, including one where he expressed hope for the death of an elderly constituent who complained about local bin collections.
His departure opened a potential pathway for Andy Burnham to return to parliament, where he could have mounted a leadership challenge against Sir Keir. The Prime Minister's veto of Mr Burnham's candidacy has injected further uncertainty into the by-election's outcome.
Leadership Stakes and Polling Predictions
Many Labour MPs believe that Sir Keir could face a serious leadership challenge if the party loses this by-election. Conversely, his supporters argue that a victory would justify his decision to block Mr Burnham and provide crucial momentum ahead of challenging local elections in May.
A spokesman for Sir Keir acknowledged that the result might hinge on just a handful of votes and appealed to disaffected supporters not to risk allowing Reform to win. The Prime Minister, who made only one brief campaign visit to the constituency, insisted the contest is a direct fight between Labour and Reform, despite polls indicating a narrow lead for the Greens.
On Wednesday night, Sir Keir framed the election as a 'stark' choice between 'unity and division,' warning that Reform would 'drive a wedge between communities.'
Meanwhile, the Green Party has been buoyed by an Opinium poll this week suggesting their candidate, local plumber Hannah Spencer, could achieve an unexpected victory. The poll placed the Greens at 30%, Labour at 28%, and Reform at 27%, with all three parties within the margin of error, highlighting the intensely competitive nature of this race.
